Ft. Pierce Trades Classical For R&B

• RAMP has learned of a format change on Florida’s Treasure Coast, as Indian River State College (IRSC) Public Media in Ft. Pierce jumps into a freshly formed format hole and flips Classical 91.1 WQCP to R&B as Q 91.1.

The flip was prompted by crosstown Midway Broadcasting, owner of Urban AC WFLM (104.5 The Flame),which in December moved its city of license from White City, FL to Palm Beach Shores, leaving the Ft. Pierce market without a local R&B station.

Shortly after launch, Chris Puorro (left), Associate VP/GM of IRSC Public Media said, “As the provider of public media on the Treasure Coast, we continuously seek to be responsive to the needs of our community — this change is an example of that commitment. The New Q 91.1 will keep a local voice in the community that would otherwise be lost after WFLM’s move.”

IRSC Public Media has also hired a couple of popular local air personalities for Q 91.1 — Michael James is named host of the Mighty Michael Morning Show, weekdays from 6-10am. James previously worked at WFLMand WJFP in Fort Pierce. Jumping into afternoon drive is Rodney Spencer, who has anchored the local afternoon news across the hall on NPR affiliate WQCS since 2016 and is also the host of the popular Jazz on the Treasure Coast show.

The station anticipates adding additional local on-air personalities and several feature programs soon. IRSC Public Media also proudly announces the promotion of Gerald Wilcox to General Sales Manager for Q 91.1. Wilcox has worked with WQCS and IRSC Public Media as an underwriting account executive since 2012.

The Classical music programming previously found on 91.1 continues to stream at wqcs.org and on 88.9-HD2.

Chris Puorro tells RAMP that the new Q 91.1 is actively looking for Mainstream R&B record service. Labels can reach out at WQCP@irsc.edu.